How to Get a Louisiana Youth Hunting License

If you’re wondering how to get a Louisiana youth hunting license, the first step is creating a separate account for the youth through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). Once that is done, you can purchase the youth license online or in person at LDWF or an authorized retailer, based on age-related hunter education requirements. 

Fortunately, Louisiana makes youth hunting licenses affordable and easily accessible to residents and non-residents under 18. The process is straightforward but does have some age-based education requirements. 

Let’s take a closer look at the steps needed to obtain a Louisiana youth hunting license.

Louisiana Youth Hunting License — Quick Facts
Where to Purchase Online or In Person	Valid For 365 days after date of purchase	Hunter Education Required if born on or after September 1, 1969
Rules Must hunt with a licensed adult at least 18 years old (if younger than 16 years old)	Who Qualifies Residents and non-residents under age 18

How to Get a Louisiana Youth Hunting License (Step-by-Step)

Understanding how to get a Louisiana youth hunting license boils down to three steps: completing hunter education (if required), creating an LDWF account, and purchasing the license.

Step 1: Complete Hunter Education

Anyone born on or after September 1, 1969, is required to complete a hunter education course to purchase a hunting license if the individual wants to hunt without supervision. 

However, Louisiana’s hunter education requirements vary by age.

• Youth ages 10-15 are required to complete either a free 10-hour in-person course or a hybrid option that combines online training with a mandatory 5-hour in-person field day. This education requirement helps younger hunters build their knowledge and skill set before heading into the field to hunt independently. 
• Youth ages 16–17 can complete only the online course and do not have to participate in a field day. This streamlined process helps the teen hunter get certified more expediently. 

There is a key exception to these education requirements.

Youth under the age of 16 can hunt without completing their hunter education certification as long as they are directly supervised in the field by a licensed adult age 18 years or older.

This informal mentorship model, also known as an apprentice hunting program in other states, helps younger hunters get hands-on experience and guidance before undergoing formal training. 

Step 2: Create a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Account

An often-overlooked step in obtaining a youth hunting license is creating an account for the young hunter in the LDWF system via the LouisianaOutdoors website. A youth hunter is not allowed to purchase a hunting license through a parent or guardian’s LDWF account. 

Fortunately, no state-issued identification is required to set up the account or complete the purchase. 

After creating the youth’s LDWF account, save the account login credentials, as this account can be used for future license purchases, harvest reporting, and tag validations. 

Step 3: Purchase the License

Once the aspiring youth hunter has met the hunter education requirements stated earlier and has created an individual LDWF account, it’s time to purchase the license.

Currently, the Louisiana youth hunting license is one of the more affordable youth licenses in the country, costing only $5 per season for residents and non-residents alike. The youth license allows the hunter to participate in deer and turkey hunting, lottery hunts, and trapping.

Once you’ve paid for the license online through the LDWF system, you’ll receive an email with a temporary authorization number and a PDF of your license. You can print the PDF at home or save it to a mobile device you plan on taking to the field. 

Note that LDWF will not send you a physical license in the mail unless you specifically purchase a collectible hard card license for an extra $8.50 ($5 plus $3.50 convenience fee). 

If you want to purchase the youth license in person, you can do so at LDWF headquarters in Baton Rouge or at any authorized retailer like Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, and Cabela’s.

No matter how you buy the license, Louisiana residents can store and display a digital version of the license in the LA Wallet app on their mobile device.

What Is a Louisiana Youth Hunting License?

The Louisiana youth hunting license allows hunters under 18 to participate in regulated hunting activities at an affordable cost. If you’re researching how to get a Louisiana youth hunting license, knowing what’s included will make the process easier.

The youth hunting license includes deer and turkey tags and is required for hunting those species. The license also covers trapping and youth lottery hunts. However, a youth license is not required if you’re hunting rabbits, squirrels, or woodcock.

Your youth hunting license is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, and no ID or proof of residency is required to purchase it. 

Louisiana’s youth hunting license is more than just a legal document to hunt. Owning the license makes the young hunter an active participant in the state’s conservation system. License revenue directly funds habitat restoration and conservation, wildlife management programs, and law enforcement efforts that make hunting sustainable for future generations. 

Who Qualifies for a Youth Hunting License?

Youth hunting licenses in Louisiana are available to residents and non-residents under the age of 18.

Since eligibility is based on age instead of residency status, there is no ID requirement for youth applicants. If you're curious how Louisiana's rules compare to those of other states, it helps to know the youth age requirements for getting a hunting license before planning future hunts.

Depending on the youth’s hunter education status, the young hunter may be required to be supervised in the field by an adult (18 or older) with a current Louisiana hunting license on all hunts. 

Youth license holders are still subject to following all Louisiana hunting regulations. 

How to Use the Louisiana Youth Hunting License Properly

After you’ve purchased the youth license, you need to know how to use it correctly to stay compliant with Louisiana’s hunting laws. 

How to Use the Louisiana Youth Hunting License:

All hunters, including youth hunters, must carry their license (paper or digital) with them at all times during the hunt and when transporting any harvested game.  All tags (deer, turkey, black bear, and waterfowl) must be with the youth hunter during the hunt. Follow all tagging and reporting requirements after harvesting game. This includes registering for a free Harvest Information Program account if the youth is 16 or older.

Since paper tags can get lost or damaged, keep a copy of your LDWF account login credentials on paper in your wallet or in a phone note. If necessary, you can reprint licenses and validate tags when away from home. 

Important Rules and Exceptions Every Hunter Should Know

LDWF’s hunting regulations have a few youth-specific provisions that you should know about, including what you can hunt, where you can hunt, and what additional permits you may need.

Are Tags Included?

Louisiana’s youth hunting license automatically includes deer and turkey tags, so there is no need to buy them separately. Starting in 2026, you can now use an e-tag.

How to Use a Louisiana Hunting License e-tag:

Log in to your LDWF account and enroll in E-tag/Text-to-Tag before your hunt. As soon as you harvest the deer or turkey, and before moving the animal, text  "Report" to 225-267-9988. You will then be prompted to provide the following information: tag number, animal’s sex, harvest date, parish of harvest, and land type (public, private, or DMAP).

You will receive a text confirmation once the tag has been validated.

Small Game Exceptions

You do not need a youth hunting license for hunting squirrels, rabbits, or woodcock. These exceptions let novice young hunters gain valuable experience while building safe shooting skills, bypassing licensing costs or time commitments for hunter education. 

WMA Access for Youth Hunters

Youth license holders under the age of 17 are not required to have a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) access permit. Louisiana waives this fee to encourage youth participation in public land hunts throughout the state. 

Final Tips for Parents and Young Hunters

A little bit of planning and pre-season preparation can go a long way toward making the first hunting season enjoyable and full of positive learning experiences. 

Tips for Hunting with a Louisiana Youth Hunting License:

Set up the youth LDWF account early. Avoid any last-minute issues or technical glitches that could put a wrinkle in the hunt by creating the account and purchasing the youth license well before the season starts.  Complete a hunter education course as soon as the youth is eligible. Don’t try to squeeze in a certification course the week before the season starts. Enroll as soon as possible to reduce stress and allow time to absorb the material before taking it to the field. Check and validate hunting licenses and tags. Before heading out the door for each hunt, confirm that you have all licenses, tags, and credentials with you and not in another pack or vehicle. Keep physical copies in a waterproof storage bag, or download digital versions to your phone. Create a checklist for each hunt. I often move licenses and critical gear, like first-aid kits, between packs, pockets, and vests, depending on the hunt. I’ve created a printed checklist for every type of hunt and run through it while prepping gear to make sure I don’t forget that important paperwork.  Practice safe and ethical hunting standards. Teach and constantly reinforce proper firearm handling, marksmanship fundamentals, respect for wildlife, and ethical shot placement during every hunt.

Work with your young hunter to build these habits early. Make multiple scouting trips together and put in the reps at the range to create a strong foundation that will serve your young hunter throughout life. 

Take a Hunter Education Course to Hunt Safely in Louisiana

Louisiana’s long tradition of supporting its hunting culture has streamlined youth licensing and made it remarkably affordable. However, a license by itself does not turn a novice into an exceptional hunter. That’s where a formal hunter education program steps in to provide a critical foundation. 

Hunter education programs, like the one offered by ilearntohunt, can transform a curious beginner into a confident hunter. These courses provide education in essential skills that supervised hunting might touch on but rarely cover in depth: safe firearms handling, first aid, game identification, proper shot placement, hunting ethics, conservation, and in-depth explanations of Louisiana’s hunting regulations. 

When your young hunter is ready to increase their knowledge and complete the state’s hunter education requirement, enroll them in the Louisiana-approved hunter education course through ilearntohunt. Our flexible online format lets students learn at their own pace and helps them develop the knowledge and foundational skills they can continue building throughout their hunting journey. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Louisiana Youth Hunting License (FAQs)

Q: Can a 16-year-old hunt alone in Louisiana?

A: Yes, a 16-year-old can hunt alone in Louisiana. Hunters under 16 must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter at least 18 years old. But once a hunter reaches 16, that supervision requirement no longer applies if they have also passed a hunter education course. The young hunter must still possess all required licenses and stamps for the species they are pursuing.

Q: What age does a kid need a hunting license in Louisiana?

A: In Louisiana, hunters under age 18 are required to have a valid hunting license. They must also follow all other regulations. Youth hunters under the age of 18 qualify for a youth hunting license, while hunters 18 years and older must purchase a basic hunting license. 

Q: Do youth hunters need a duck stamp in Louisiana?

A: In Louisiana, hunters who are 15 and under are not required to purchase a state duck stamp. However, the federal duck stamp requirement applies to waterfowl hunters age 16 and older, so youth hunters in that age range must have one. It is always a good idea to verify current regulations each season, as stamp requirements can change.

Q: Can youth hunt during primitive season in Louisiana?

A: Yes, youth hunters in Louisiana can participate in primitive weapon season, provided they follow all applicable regulations for that season. During primitive season, only approved primitive weapons such as muzzleloaders and archery equipment are allowed, and youth hunters must comply with those equipment restrictions just like adult hunters.